Fluctuating freezing levels, mixed precipitation, and moderate wind are creating dangerous avalanche conditions.
Continually assess as you travel, and stick to conservative terrain.
A persistent weak layer is buried 1 - 2 m. This is a low-probability, high-consequence problem. Signs of instability may not be obvious. The best defence is smaller, low-consequence terrain.
New snow and moderate southerly wind are building storm slabs in the alpine where precipitation is falling as snow. Storm slabs are likely to be more reactive in lee terrain features. Storm slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers.
There was a remote-triggered wind slab in the Seaton area on Friday. Check out the MIN report here. Similar slopes should be eyed up critically.
If you are heading out, post a Mountain Information Network report!
Mixed precipitation starting as rain and switching to snow with dropping freezing levels has deposited up to 20 cm of snow in the alpine. Treeline and below, moist surface snow is expected. This new snow will be redistributed by moderate south wind creating reactive storm slabs that will be more reactive in lee features.
This precipitation further buries, wind affected surfaces in exposed alpine terrain and settled faceted snow in sheltered terrain.
A thick crust from late January can be found at a wide range of depths, from 75 to 150 cm. Where it is shallowest, facets are most likely to exist above it, and the more problematic it is expected to be.
We do not have concerns about the snowpack below this layer.
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 20 cm of snow above 1500 m. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
